Our men’s group from Pinon Hills Community Church, Farmington, New Mexico, reached the summit on the morning of August 20, 2005. The members of the party included: Phil Miller, Jathan Cantu, Sterg Katirgis, Todd Schauer, Eber Crossley, Lee and Tyler (8 yrs. old) Cothern, and Richard Menning. Wayne Oberg reached his highest hiking elevation to date (approx. 12,900’) along with buddy, Chris Booth, who had previously reached the summit. Overcast skies turned clear briefly while on the summit as we all took pictures and met many others also enjoying the views. The well marked trail provided a fairly easy hike for a 14er, even though the last part was quite steep. Light sleet followed us down to the trailhead along with one attention getting lightning--thunder clap. All made it back tired, satisfied and completely enchanted by the beauty of the American Basin.

My first fourteener. The east slope approach is harder than the American Basin approach but worth it. A perfect day of sunshine made the climb and view spectacular. We went down the west side to see both sides as well as the American Basin. The wildflowers are still in bloom and there is still a good bit of snow keeping the creeks alive. The only downside of going up one side of Handies and down the other is that you either have to hitch a ride back to Burrows park or walk.

Climbed to the summit with some wicked postholing. I shed the training pack after climbing Redcoloud and Handies the day before and went light. VERY NICE! Huge cornice on the summit. Alpine Master almost glissaded into the creek on the way down.

Great mountain for a first run at a 14'er. But, oh my!, sheer torture for this body; 4 days was just not enough acclimatization. Not to mention the trudge through 8" of fresh snow. Almost turned around with only 500' to go to the summit. Those specks at the top could have it all to themselves!

I took a moment to resolve my will, and finally made it. Found some great comrade: diggler and pellucid wombat. (Open invitation to California!)

The view has to be among the best anywhere: uninterrupted snow-shrouded peaks in every direction. And for me, an eye to the next, beautiful Mt. Sneffels. We'll save the trip down Handies through the melting snow for another time. In 10am-out 5pm.

Happy to say, my knees forgave me after a few soaks in Orvis, and Sneffels was a breeze!

Another solo climb. I car camped down valley at one of the forest service campgrounds. I had summited Sunshine and Redcloud the day before, but still felt quite strong. I parked at the American Basin entrance (tough to get my little car there) and quickly hiked up the valley. After having to maneuver thru a herd of grazing cattle along the Silver Creek trail the day before, there was now a herd of 500? domestic sheep grazing in this valley. Other than the shepherd manning his camp up there, I saw no one else all day. Fortunately, the sheep were skittish and moved from my route. I remember summitting in beautiful sunshine and screeing down the southwest slopes for maybe 1,000 feet. I made great time, returning to my car by 1:15 p.m. I had enough time to pack my camp and drive back to Denver that same day.

This is the one and only mountain my wife has climbed with me, or ever will, I suppose. So it holds a special place in my memory. She got badly sunburned. Also with us were my mother, dad, and oldest brother.

Unfortunately, my only CO 14er this summer, after Mark (Pellucid Wombat) & I were foiled by non-cooperative climbing conditions on Wilson Peak the day before, & rain/snow/low visibility on Castle Peak 4 days later (gotta love that Colorado Rockies weather!!!) helped make up my mind that that summit would wait until another day as well.

Left TH @ 8.47. Getting up to 13k' saddle, then descending 600' to the base of Handies was tedious & disheartening, but in the end no big deal. Summited @ 12.39, after Mark blew by me a couple hundred feet from the top. Lots of people there that day (though few used our approach). Due to recent snowfall, views that would have been great anyway were absolutely breathtaking- almost all of the magnificent San Juan peaks that were as far as the eye could see, in an almost 360 deg circle, were mantled in summer snow! Probably the best summit views I've ever seen. Wow.

Hung out up top for quite some time, chilling & talking to fellow hikers. Bacardi 151 sure packs a whallop @ 14k'! 90 Shilling was nice, too. Got to know another cool Mark on the summit, this one from Texas (told him about SP, which he joined afterwards (flying fish!)). Left summit @ 14.40 or so (?), & got back to the TH/car @ 18.00.

Breathtaking views along the Million $ Highway afterwards, & nice soak in the hot springs in Ouray- great day!!!

Although the route was easy, the views made the hike very worthwhile - certainly one of my favorite summit views! The 6"-2' snow cover from the storm that passed through on the 4th made it look like the middle of winter!